Vincent Bonsignore: Welcome to the circus known as Lakers media day

EL SEGUNDO -- The scene has played out time and again over the years in Los Angeles, the Lakers kicking off their newest season by inviting every newspaper reporter, radio personality, television anchor and photographer in L.A. to their annual media day.

Media members invariably will look around, glance at one another, shake their heads and say something along the lines of, "This is the worst I've ever seen it."

The worst being how many reporters were somehow stuffed into the same place at one time, the natural convergence of the Lakers' immense popularity and the ever-growing number of media platforms hired to cover them.

But having been a part of the proceedings as far back as the Magic Johnson Showtime Lakers and into the Shaquille O'Neal/Kobe Bryant version and beyond, you'll have to take my word when I say we've seen nothing like what we saw Monday when the Lakers opened their doors to the media at their El Segundo headquarters. | See photo gallery.

We're talking part Super Bowl, part NBA All-Star Game part GQ fashion shoot, part media circus and 100 percent chaos as the Lakers unveiled their version of the Dream Team with the additions of future Hall of Famer Steve Nash and dynamic center Dwight Howard to an already star-studded cast led by Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace.

All summer the Lakers kept adding new players to the mix, Howard and Nash the obvious headliners but other significant improvements with the signings of Antawn Jamison and Jodie Meeks to strengthen their suspect bench.

It was exciting and intriguing as every two weeks or so a new, better player came aboard as the Lakers plotted their return to the ranks of the NBA elite.

And after getting knocked out of the playoffs the last two years in the second round - this after winning back-to-back NBA titles and reaching the NBA Finals three years in a row - it was a heavy dose of confidence to a worried fan base not accustomed to bowing out of the playoffs so early.

But it also was more of a concept than reality, our minds only envisioning this incredibly talented group of players together.

On Monday our eyes finally got involved as Howard, Nash, Bryant, Gasol, World Peace and Jamison all took the floor in their Lakers uniforms for the first time together.

In was an impressive display of firepower and star power, the affable Howard lighting up the gym with his rendition of the Temptations' "Silent Night," the dry wit of Nash obviously shining through and the ecstatic smile of Bryant stretched wide as he surveyed the new toys he has to play with.

More important, they are the weapons he now has to match up against the best teams in the NBA as he chases that elusive sixth NBA Title.

"I'm very excited," Bryant said.

Meanwhile, a throng of media members were herded from one player to the next in a scene that even left the players themselves rolling their eyes in astonishment.

"I knew it would be different ...," Nash said, his voice trailing off.

We all did.

But this?

"I'm just amazed and blessed to be a part of it," Howard said, wearing a perpetual smile as he held court with reporters, sat down for radio interviews and did magazine photo shoots.

Listening to Howard talk about how ecstatic he is to be a member of the Lakers and how he's fed off the energy and satisfaction of fans while making his way around town, I almost forgot he has a big decision looming at the end of the year.

Howard is an unrestricted free agent this summer and has not consented to a long-term extension or given any assurances he'll be with the Lakers beyond this season.

But watching him Monday beam with genuine satisfaction of being in Los Angeles and soaking in the atmosphere and stage this franchise and city affords, I wouldn't worry about him leaving the Lakers anytime soon.

Howard seems made for Los Angeles, his expressive personality a perfect fit for the entertainment capital.

He's also really, really good and extremely grateful to be the next great center in franchise history.

"I'm very, very happy," Howard kept saying, about the only damper on his day the uncertainty of when his surgically repaired back will allow him to actually play in a game.

Everyone seemed hopeful Howard will be available opening night, but no one appeared too stressed about forcing the issue.

It's a long season, and no sense rushing him back before he's truly ready.

Besides, just glancing around the gym Monday, you get the sense the Lakers can withstand his absence for a little while.